‘Assemblage of heavy machinery panacea to Nigeria’s infrastructure gap’

Heavy Machinery Dealership limited said it has concluded plans to assemble heavy machinery and equipment in Nigeria to bridge the nation’s current infrastructure challenge.

Besides, the organisation said it would soon launch a world-class training institution to complement its strategies, including cutting down figures of inadequacy of technical know-how in the country.

Speaking to The Guardian, Executive Board Member of the company, Elias Chedid said the organisation is determined to improve lives of farmers and miners across villages in Nigeria and strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“Assembly is our goal. We would empower local assemblage, which is part of our efforts to complement government’s industrialisation agenda.

“We have already taken concrete steps. We shall have news about it soon.

“We also have a training school for operators and technicians, its being finalised and would be launched hopefully in two months from now.

“Nigeria has a lot of talents but the problem is how to source them. There is also a communication problem across the country,” Chedid said.

Stating that the organisation is offering a one-stop shop solution to construction challenges in Nigeria, he said the organisation approach could tackle key construction challenges since government cannot address current infrastructure gap with budgetary allocations.

“Today, we know Nigeria doesn’t have the budget to build asphalt roads all over the country. However, we can fix some roads with one machine. For instance, the machine can fix all internal roads in Ogun State, Lagos or wherever it’s located. Some state government are currently using them”, Chedid said.

According to him, whatever option on farming, mining and other sectors that the government is focusing on, it is time effort is concentrated on delivery and quality product.

He said, “What we are offering is an instant solution that is sustainable. We all know that Nigeria roads won’t be built in the next five-ten years but we need to start something sustainably.

Stressing the need to support small businesses in the country, Chedid said: “We are offering zero per cent financing, with the plan, you can buy our machine and pay in installment and we won’t charge extra.

“This is how we support smaller companies because they cannot afford all the machines to start with their businesses”.

“We are also supporting local government with the technology that is new to the market, cost efficient, sustainable and environmental friendly”.

Chedid, who lamented that industries in Nigeria are faced with series of challenges, noted that technical, business and financial opportunities in the country are untapped.

To help government cut cost on construction, which he described as very expensive, the board member said government must look beyond contracting developmental projects.

“Contractors are more expensive, they take away employment from the state government and they are very price sensitive. If you don’t pay contractors, they wont finish their job whereas government can always find funds to finish small jobs.

“We are working towards shifting the mentality of outsourcing contract of construction work. Pedestrian bridges, road maintenance, asphalt production etc. don’t need contractors.

“We are trying to convey a message to the government on new technology and the whole advice and operations that would ease the lives of citizens, improve the everyday life without involving huge investment”, Chedid said.

“I advise government to stop taking things their own hands, especially maintenance and rural development projects because budgets are really low for these jobs.”